Playing the Old Course... how to set it up?

[4x4GGG]

I've decided that playing the Old Course is on my bucket list. 

 

I don't even have a passport yet as I've never been a traveler. Who's played it, how does it happen, and where should I start? 

 

A friend of mine, a former coworker, won a lottery to play the course and his t-time was end of April 2020. Obviously didn't happen, got postponed and he has since moved away. How do I do this, what's the best route? 

[hammergolf]

Great choice! It’s an unforgettable experience. It’s just such a special place, not just the course, but the entire town. You will not be disappointed. Well there are several options to play TOC. But my first question would be are you planning to go with a group, or will you be by yourself? I’ll explain the 5 options for getting on.

 

1 You can go online to 3rd party companies (Perry Golf, Hidden Links… there are many) St. Andrews Links sells a certain amount of tee times to these providers. There is a steep premium for using these companies, but of course it’s the easiest and most content. Normal price to play TOC is between £100 - £200 depending on time of year. You would probably be looking at almost twice that to use a third party company.

 

2 Every (normal) year, they have and advanced tee time lottery. Usually it’s from mid to late August for about 4 weeks. You register online at Standrews.com. This lottery will be for the following year. As long as you have 2 or more people you can enter. You can give them specific dates you would like to make your trip, or to increase the odds tell them you are open to any dates. I would highly recommend being flexible. Obviously summer is the busiest time and you have much more day light to play, but for my group I prefer to go mid October. The rates are cheaper and it’s less crowded. If you are selected for the advanced lottery they will inform you by email, and you can plan your trip accordingly. But if you don’t win there are still two other options.

 

3 The 48 hour ballot. Over half the tee times at TOC are reserved for the ballot, in fact on certain days most of tee times are from the 48 hour ballot. As long as you have 2 or more people you can enter the ballot. Essentially it mirrors the advanced time ballot. You just go online, and enter the 48 hour ballot 2 days before you want to play. Keep in mind the course is closed on Sunday. Once again the more flexible you are with time the better. If you are selected you can check on the app or website. If you don’t get selected, you have 1 other option to get on.

 

4 Walk up. Basically all of the tee times that are reserved for twosomes and threesomes, they need players to fill out those times. The walk up is first come first served. This entails waiting by the starter shack. If you really want to play, just make sure you’re one the first 10 or people. Now, some days this means getting there at midnight and camping outside in the ground. Other days it may be getting there at 6am. But if you really want to play, be safe and get there at midnight. Bring your sleeping bag and make an experience of it. If you are the first there, you can choose what time you would like to play. So if there is a spot in the afternoon you can go back and take a nap.

 

5 If walk up isn’t your thing, there are “dark times”. These are times that they don’t book because it’s not a guaranteed to finish before it gets dark. It’s a gamble, and depending on pace of play that day you May finish, or you May get to 14 and it’s pitch dark.

 

I will say, their staff is very friendly and will answer any questions. If you have any other questions, I’ll be happy to help.

 

Here is the best walk I’ve ever had

Edited July 26, 2021 by hammergolf

[Stetson]

When are you planning on going?

[shortstop20]

On 7/25/2021 at 11:14 PM, hammergolf said:

 

 

2 Every (normal) year, they have and advanced tee time lottery. Usually it’s from mid to late August for about 4 weeks. You register online at Standrews.com. This lottery will be for the following year. As long as you have 2 or more people you can enter. You can give them specific dates you would like to make your trip, or to increase the odds tell them you are open to any dates. I would highly recommend being flexible. Obviously summer is the busiest time and you have much more day light to play, but for my group I prefer to go mid October. The rates are cheaper and it’s less crowded. If you are selected for the advanced lottery they will inform you by email, and you can plan your trip accordingly. But if you don’t win there are still two other options.

 

 

I was able to get a tee time via the advanced lottery for 2020 as a single(but not able to go because of C19). 

 

Has this changed?

Edited August 3, 2021 by shortstop20